Duplicating apparatus



May 31, 1960 Filed July 51, 1957 W. EICHENBAUM ETAI- DUPLICATINGAPPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Aww May 31, 1960 w. EICHENBAUM ETAL2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 3l, 1957 May 31, 1960w, ElcHENBAuM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 31, 1957 INVENTORS MMf/cm-waAa/g pasaria MA IVLEX MIVfL T702 A/ .f

May 31, 1960 w, ElCHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed July s1, 1957 7 sheets-sheet 5 INVENTORI`May 31, 1960 w, ElCHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS Filed July 3l, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 31, 1960w. EAICHENBAUM ETAL 2,938,456

DUPLICATING APPARATUS HMI/L4 A TTORN" XS 2,938,456 a DUPLICATINGAPPARATUS William Eichenbaum, deceased, late of Teaneck, NJ., by SidneyH. Kantrowitz, executor, 58,6 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ., and ManleyMandel, 30 Hills Road, Amherst, Mass.

Filed July 31, 1957, Ser. No. 675,435

' 19 Claims. ,(Cl. IGI-132.5).

The present invention relates to duplicating machines, and moreparticularly to an automatic addressograph type of apparatus in whichsuccessive masters and blanks are brought into impression-transferrelation relative to each kother with a substantially continuous flow ofmasters and blanks through the apparatus. This is a continuation-inpartof our earlier filed application, Serial No. 391,199, entitledDuplicating Method and Apparatus, filed November l0, '1953, now U. S.Patent No. 2,883,929, and application Serial No, 473,778, entitledDuplicating Appa ratus, liiledon December 8, 1954.

Conventional duplicating machines embody a printing or duplicatingcouple which includes a first or large diameter roller adapted todetachably carry a master and a second or smaller diameter rolleradapted to cooperate with the rst roller during a duplicating, cycle.Provision is made for advancing a blank past a wetting assembly and intothe nip of the first and second rollers whereby, upon cycling of thereproducing or duplicating couple, the blank is brought intoimpression-transfer relation with the master to bring about the transferf an impression from the master onto the blank. Usually the operatorreleasably attaches the master to the tirst roller with the use of onehand, and with the other hand, advances a blank into position relativeto the wetting assembly. Thereupon the machine is cycled, for example,by actuating a foot control, to initiate the duplicating cycle. Apartfrom the fact that use of this type of equipment requires a skilledoperator with a reasonable amount of manual dexterity, the operation isinherently slow, painstaking and tedious.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide-an improvedduplicating system obviating one or more of the aforesaid difliculties.Specilicially, it is with*- in the contemplation of the invention toprovide improved duplicating apparatus f or bringing prepared mastersand blanks into duplicating relation on a substantially continuousbasis, with provision for automatic delivery of paired masters andblanks through a duplicating cycle.

A number of rather unique problems are'presen-ted when employing mastercards of relatively flexible paper stock which are prepared initiallywith hectograph impressions of the information to be duplicated. Thistype of master card is exceptionally useful since the hectographimpressions may be formed thereon by readily available typewriters; andthe prepared mas-ters take up little space, are not particularly costlyand are useful for as much as two hundred duplications. Thus, from thestandpoint of economy, our improved apparatus using paper stock mastersfinds a number of special applications in mass mailings where it is notpractical to employ addressograph type equipment which employsrelatively expensive master plates. Many practical requirements must bemet with duplicating apparatus employing such hectograph mastersto bringabout its widespread adoption. The'apparatusmust be ,constructed toenable large numbers of masters and blanks to be fed there- 2,938,455Patented May 31, 1960 through at a relatively high speed with theassurance that each and every master will properly duplicate itshectograph information onto a corresponding blank. Provision must'bemade for handling a wide variety of masters and blanks which differ insize, thickness, type of stock and the like. Further, it is importantthat the operator be able to control the location of the hectographimpression on the blank, despite the fact that said impression is at afixed position on the blank and the master and blank be of differentsizes. Still further, provision must be made for enabling the take-offof successive masters and blanks subsequent to` the duplicatingoperation, either with the masters and blanks separated from each otheror with successive pairs of masters and blanks collated.y Still otherrequirements which are met by our improved apparatus will becomeapparent as the detailed description proceeds. v

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating features ofthe present invention, a duplicating machine is provided which includesa reproducing couple adapted to engage a paired master and blank andbring the same into impression-transfer relation, means operativelyconnected to the reproducing couple to continuously drive the same, arst feeder means for delivering masters along a first feed path towardthe reproducing lcouple, a second feeder means for delivering blanksalong a second feeder path toward the reproducing couple, and respectiverotatable check means along the first and second feed paths in advanceof the reproducing couple.y A sensing arrangement is associated with therotatable check meanswherebymasters and blanks are paired at theirrespective rotatable check means before delivery to the reproducingcouple. Advantageously, and `with a view-to simplicity, the rotatablecheck means along the path for the blanks is a wetting couple havingawick assembly associated therewith whereby each blank is wetted justprior to its delivery into impression transfer relation with acorresponding master.

As a feature of the invention, a variable speed drive is associated withone of the feeder means whereby prescribed registry may be attainedbetween the masters and blanks, despite the differences in size betweensuch masters and blanks and the position which the hectograph impressionoccupies on the master. Accordingly, by a simple adjustment of thevariable speed drive, it is possible to place the impression derivedfrom the master at virtually any location along the length of the blank.

As a still further feature of the invention, the machine isconstructedso that it can handle relatively large 'numbers of masters and blanks ina rapid and insequen'ce basis, with the assurance of reliability ineffecting the impression transfer to successive blanks fromv pairedmasters. The importance of this may be more fully appreciated when it isrecalled that faulty operation of the dupli- Veating machine will resultin the misdirection of mail or the complete failure of one or morepieces to be properly addressed or otherwise identified for mailing.

The above brief description, as well as further objects, features andadvantages of the present invention will be more -fully appreciated byreference to the following detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an improved duplicating ma,- chinedemonstrating features of the present invention, parts being broken awayin the interests of simplicity and clarity;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 2-2 .ofFig. l and looking in the direction of the arrows, a master and blank.being shown in the impres- Sion-transfer cycle; n Fig. 3 is a sectionalview taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking inythe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view on a reduced scale taken from ythelower side of the .machine as seen in Fig. l and looking in thedirection of the' arrows 2-2 and 3 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view takenl from the far side of themachine and looking ina direction opposite to that of lthe arrows 2-2and 3-3; Y

Figs. 6 to 9, `nclusive, are diagrammatic views of the essentialoperating parts of the duplicating machine illustrated in detail inFigs. 1 to 5, which show the sequence of operation in the flow of themasters and blanks Y n through the machine, to wit;

Fig. 6 illustrated the position of the masters and blanks at the startof a feeding cycle with a master having just advanced into the rstset'offeeding rollers along its delivery or feed path and the blank startingalong its delivery or feed path but lagging behind the master;

Fig. 7 shows the masterY in an vintermediate stopped position wherein ithas come into contact with a pair of check rollers along its feed path,the blank lagging behind and approaching its check rollers;

Fig. 8 shows the blank andY master after pairing and substantially atthe start of the impression-transfer cycle after passing the respectivepairs of check rollers;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the master and blankfurther progressed along the impressionv transfer cycle; and f Fig. 10is a schematic diagram of the controlv circuit employed in ourduplicating apparatus.

Before making reference to the detailed drawings of Figs. 1 to 5 'andthe schematic control diagram of Fig.

10, brief reference will be made to the diagrammatic illustrations ofFigs. 6 to 9, inclusive, for a general description of the variouscomponents of our duplicating machine, generally designated by thereference numeral 10, and the nterrelationship between said componentsin achieving the desired duplicating operation. In these diagrammaticshowings, rollers or parts which are in motion have been cross-hatchedfor the purposes of illustration, while rollers or parts which arestationary at the particular time in the cycle have not been hatched.The machine 10 embodies a reproducing or duplicating couple includingrollers 12, 14 which are driven from a motor 15 continuously once themachine is placed in operation. `The reproducing or duplicating couple-12, 14 brings lsuccessive masters M into impression-transfer relationwith successive blanks B. The masters M are provided with hectographimpressions while the blanks may take the formof any type of stock whichis to receive such impressions, for example, envelopes, brochures,letters and the like. For the construction illustrated, 'the hectographimpressions are provided on the undersurface of the masters M, while theblanks Bare placed with the 10 is placed in operation. Themaster-feeding mechanisms 16 and the .feed rollers 20, 22 deliverv themasters one at a time to the check rollers `24, 26 which are disposedalong the first or master feed path in advance of the pick-up locationfor the duplicating couple'12, 14.

The bottom'feed roller 22 is driven while the top feed roller 20 is anidler which is spring biased to bear there against. During-blocking ofthe check rollers 24, 26, the pressure between the feed rollers` andthe'rnaster is selec'ted-so that the feed roller 22 may continue torotate but is not effective to advance the master or .to distort thesame. However, the feed rollers 20, 22 do urge the c master against thecheck rollers 24, 26 until such time as the check rollers are activated.

Interposed between the feed rollers 20, 22 and the check rollers 24, 26along the master feed path is a master sensing means, in the form of aphotoelectric device 28, which is arranged to interrupt the drive to themaster-feeding mechanism 16 and to partially condition the drive for thecheck rollers 24, 26. Y

' When the beam from the photoelectric sensing device 28 is interruptedfor all intents and purposes the feed rollers20, 22 are no longer drivenwhile positive provision is made for disrupting the operation of themasterfeeding mechanism 16. Stated somewhat differently the .drive tothe feed rollers 20, 22 is effective to advance the master along thepath so long as there is no blocking action by the check rollers 24, 26.However, when the blocking action occurs, the feed rollers 20, 22 do notactively'Y transport the master but merely bias the master to the nip ofthe check rollers 24, v26. It must be appreciated that the frictionalforces on the master is comparatively light and that the masters arerelatively stiff so that the feed rollers do not tend to distort orbuckle the masters for the relatively short period of time during which`the check rollers are inoperative, awaiting the coincidence of a blankfor the duplicating operation. As -will be subsequently described, thespeed of rotation of the check rollers 24, 26 may be yadjusted to retardor advance the rate of feed of the masters with respect to thereproducing or duplicating couple 12, 14.

Along the second or blank feeding path there is provided a pair of feedrollers 30, 32 which are continuously driven when the machine is kplacedin operation. Following the feed rollers 30, 32 and in advance of theduplicating couple 12, 14 are a pair of check rollers 34, 36 which arenormally not drivenv and are placed in operation along with the checkrollers 24, 26 when the master and blank are paired for coincidentdelivery to the duplicating couple 12, 14. Interposed between the feedrollers 30, 32-and the check rollers 34, 36 is a second orblank sensingmeans in the form of a photoelectric device 38, which determines thepresence of blanks at the check rollers 34, 36. As diagrammaticallyillustrated, the photoelectric device 3S is effective to control theblank-feeding mechanism 18. The photoelectric devices 28, 38 togetherare effective to impart driveV to the pairs of check rollers 24, 26 and34, 36 whereby a paired master and blank, brought to the respectivecheck locations, are advanced to the continuously 'driven duplicatingcouple 12, 14. The rollers 12, 14 of the Vduplicating couple are muchlarger in diameter than the pairs of check rollers and are driven at amuch higher speed whereby the duplicating couple effectively takes over`successive paired masters and blanks and advance such a-paired masterand blank through the 'duplicating cycle despite the fact that the driveto one or both pairs of the check `rollers 24, 26 and 34, 36 may bedisrupted prior to the completion of the duplicating cycle. This mayoccur if the trailing end of a master or` blankv passes the location ofthe associated.v photoelectric beam which interrupts the drive to itscheck roller pairfand initiates the feeding action of the next master or blank.

Following the duplicating couple12, 14 are a pair of continuously drivenconveyors A40,- 42 which together ,constitute a duplex takeoff, theconveyor 40 being adapted to'receive successive masters and the conveyor42 being adapted t'ov receive successive blanks. As will be subsequentlydescribed, it is possible to-.arrange the takeoiin Va manner to removethe masters and blanks in collated condition if the master is to beretained with the blank for any particular reason.

Reference will now be made in sequence to Figs. 6 to 9,inclusive, for aldescription of a'typicaljcycle'of operation for a further appreciationof Vthe cooperation between the several components of the machine Whenthe machine is placed in operation, the motor imparts drive, as shownschematically by the dotdash lines, to the duplicating couple 12, 14,the take-off conveyors 40, 42, the master feeding mechanism 16 and itsassociated feed rollers 20, 22, and to the blank`feed ing mechanism 18and its associated feed rollers 30, 32. For the sake of illustration, itis presumed that the master M to be fed through the system leadstheblank which is to be duplicated therefrom at the start of operation.As is seen in Fig. 7, the leading master M' advances through the feedrollers 20, 22, operates its photoelectric device 28, and arrives at thecheck roller 24, 26 ahead of the associated blank B. When the beam ofthe photoelectricdevice 28 is interrupted, the drive to theblank-feeding mechanism 16 is disconnected. By this function of thephotoelectric device 28, one part of the drive control circuit for therespective pairs of check roller 24, 26 and 34, 36 is conditioned foroper'- ation, as indicated by the further. dot-dash line. The advancedmaster M' now is waiting at the check rollers 24, 26 for the arrival ofthe leading blank B', as seen in Fig. 7, and the master-feedingmecchanism 16 is temporarily disrupted. As may be appreciated byprogressively inspecting Figs. 7 and 8. the blank B advances along itsfeed path and when Vit arrives at the'check rollers 34, 36, theassociated photoelectric device 38 is effective to disrupt theblank-feeding mechanism 18. This completes the drive control circuit forthe pairs of check roller 24, 26 and 34, 36. Thereupon the paired masterM' and blank B are advanced through the dupli eating cycle, as may b eseen by progressively inspecting the showings of Figs. 8 and 9, untilthe duplicating cycle is completed. Conversely, and in the event that ablank leads its master, the same will arrive at the check roller 34, 36prior to the arrival of the corresponding master at the check rollers24, 26; and upon the arrival of the master at its check roller, thepaired master and blank will be fed to the duplicating couple 12, 14. l

Detailed reference will now be made to Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of thedrawings, for a description of the specie mechanisms which achieve therelated functions diagrammatically shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive.

The machine 10 incorporates a frame 50 which includes upstanding sidewalls 52, 54 between which are mounted the various work-engagingcomponents of the machine. Specifically, the upperduplicating orprinting roller 12 is mounted on a shaft 56 which is journaled in theopposite side walls 52, 54 and includes a shaft extension 56a projectingbeyond the inner side wall 52. The lower duplicating or printing roller14, which is fabricated of yieldable material (Le. hard rubber), ismounted on a shaft 58 which is journaled in a cradle 60 mounted on apivot 62 (see Fig. 2) and having a downwardly extending arm 60a. Byrotation of the cradle in the clockwise direction about the pivot 62 (inFig. 2), the roller 14 may be brought to bear with greater pressureagainst the duplicating roller 12. In order to effect adjustment of thepressure between the duplicating rollers 12, 14, an eccentric 64 ismounted on a shaft 66 which is journaled on the outer side wall 54.Fixed to the outer end of the shaft 66 (see Fig. 5) is a handle 68 bywhich the shaft 66 can be indexed through prescribed angular steps. Thehandle is securable in any position of adjustment by provision ofappropriate pin and detent arrangement, known per se. As seen in Fig. 2,the depending arm 60a of the cradle 60 is urged against the eccentric 64by a spring` 70 which is connected to the lower end of the arm 60a andis anchored on Athe wall 54 by a pin 72, As the eccentric 64 is rotatedin a clockwise direction about its supporting shaft 66, 'as Yseen inFig. 2, the cradle 60 is rocked i n the same clockwise direction aboutitspivot 62 t o i n #este .the .Contact PreSSlrsf-.batween the rollers.1.2' .14.-

Adjustment ofV the 'eccentrie`64 ina counter clockwise directionobviously permits a corresponding decrease in contact pressure, sincethe arm 60a follows the movement ofthe eccentric 64 due to the biasingeffect of the spring 70.`

The duplicating roller 12 is continuouslydriven from the motor 15 toimpart drive to the duplicating couple 12, 14 by a series of belt andpulley drive connections tothe shaft extension 56a. Specifically, a maindrive shaft 74 is journaled on the inner wall.52 and on further walls76, 78 spaced from keach other and from the inner wall 52. The-mainshaft 74 is coupled to the'motor 15 bya belt 80 which Jistrained over asmall diameter drive pulley .82 on v the shaft16a of the motor 15 andover a large vdiameter main pulley 84 on the shaft 74. From the mainshaft -74 to the shaft extension 56a a further belt and pulley couplingis arranged which includes the belt 86, the pulley 88 fixed on the shaft74 and the pulley 90 xed on the shaft extension 56a. Accordingly, thedrive to the duplicating couple 12, 14 includes the main motor 15, thebelt and pulley coupling 80, 82, 84, the main shaft ,74, and the beltand pulley coupling 86, 88, 90 .to the shaft extension 56a. Themaster-feeding mechanism 16 includes a trough or feed `bin 92having aninclined front wall 94 adapted to receive the stack of masters M withthe leading edges thereof bearing against the inclined front wall 94.The bin 92 is supported adjacent its rearward end on a shaft 96 and isfixed between the opposite side walls 52, 54 by integral collars and setscrews 98, 100 (see Fig. l). Accordingly, the master-feeding bin 92 isadjustable laterally of the machine V10.- -I-Iowever, for mostapplica.-l tions. the bin will be disposed substantially medially of themachine and is illustrated herein as being symmetrically disposed withrespect. to the duplicating couple. 12, 14. Positionedl below and incooperating relation tothe bin 92 is a kicker and wobblerassembly whichincorpo-` rates a pair of kicker rollers 102, 104 .fixed on a shaft 102extending between opposite side `walls 52, 54 of the machine frame anddriven as subsequently described. The kicker rollers 102, 104 are withinthe lateral con, fines of the bin 92 and beneath the open bottom thereofin a position to contact and support the lowermost master. Upon drive ofthe kicker. rollers 102, 104, the lowermost one of the masters ispropelled forwardly along the master feed path. Cooperating with thekicker rollers 102, 104 is a wobbler roller 108 which is adapted toengage the rearmost end of the stack of masters M and is eccentricallymounted on the shaft journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 ofthe machine frame. The wobbler roller 108 tendsto vertically displacethe rearmost end of the stack of masters whereby the tendency for themasters to cling together is dimin-l ished and the kicker rollers 102,104 are rendered more effective to advance the bottomfmost master alongthe feed path. The eccentrically-mounted wobbler roller 108 is drivenalong with the kicker rollers 102, 104 by the belt and pulley couplingbetween the shafts 106, 110. The belt and pulley coupling incorporates abelt 112, a pulley 114 fixed to the shaft 106, and a pulley 116 fixed tothe shaft 110. The belt and pulley coupling is located between the bin92 and the outer-.side wall-54 of the machine frame, as seen in Fig. l.The shaft 106 is driven-from the motor v15 through a variable speedarrangement which incorporates an electric brake and an electric clutchto assure virtually vinstantaneous start and stop of drive to the shaft106 and the corresponding operation of the master-feeding mecha nism1-6. To this end, an electric brake 118 is mounted on one end of .theshaft 106, specifically at a loca-tion outwardly of the side wall 54,and an electric clutch is connected 'to the shaft 106 at a locationinwardly of the Yside wall 52. The electrical connections for the brakeand clutch 118, 120 and their coordination into theoverall .drivearrangement` will .be .mom muy? d;

scribed in conjunction with the description of FigflO of the drawings.The shaft 106 isdriven via a couplingl shaft 122 whichextends betweenthe wallsg52, V16 and may be drven'at variable speeds under the controlof the operator. The variable speed drive between the motor 15 andthecoupling 'shaft 122 includes a conventional variable speed unit, 124mounted. on the frame and having itsinputcoupled to the motorA shaft16aby a belt and pulley coupling-including the belt 126, -a pulley 127on the motor shaft 16a,-and apulley 128 on the input shaft 124a ofthe;variab1e speed unit 124. Such variable speed units are known andaccordingly will not be described in detail. It sufces topointr out thatone such unit is commercially available under the trademark Zeromax. Theoutput shaft 124b of the variable speed unit 124 is-connected to thecoupling shaft 122 by two sets of belt and pulley couplings. The firstset includes a belt 130, a driven pulley 132 connected to the outputshaft 124]), and an idler pulley 134 mounted on anintermediate idlershaft. 136.- The second set includes a belt 138 trained over a lpulley140 connected to the idler shaft 136 and a pulley 142 connected to thecoupling shaft 122. Thus'the variable vspeed drive for the shaft 106 isderived from the motor 16 va the belt and pulley coupling 126, 128, 127to the input of the variable speed unit 124 which in turn is connectedto the coupling shaft 122 lvia the respectivev belt and pulley couplings130, 132 and 134 and 138, 140, 142. Positioned forwardly of themaster-feeding mechanism 16 in advance of the feed rollers 20, 22 arefeeler members 144, 146. `The feeler member 144 is in the f orm oflan'eccentrically mounted stone which is carried on a shaft 148 and isadjustable in its relative spacing to the feeler member 146 which is inthe form of a roller supported on a shaft 150. The shaft 150 is coupledto and driven by the shaft 106 via a gear'train which is locatedintermediate the belt and pulley coupling 112, 114,. 116 and the outerside wall 54 (see Fig. l). This gear train includes a gear 152 fixed tothe shaft 150, a gear 154 fixed to the shaft 106, and an idler gear 156interposed therebetween and in meshing engagementwith the-gears 152,154. The eccentrically-mounted stone 144 is moved relative to thecooperatingfeeler roller 146 through provision ofa vemier adjustmentdevice 158 accessible on the outer side wall4 54 of the machine frame50. The Vernier adjustment device 158, which is seen in Fig. 5, includesa thumb screw control 1158a connected via a worm and gear to the shaft148 supporting the eccentrically-mounted stone 144. In actual use,thevernier adjustment device 158 is turned to attain a separationbetween the stone 144 and the driven roller 146 which corresponds to thethickness of the paper stock'of the masters M whereby it is possible foronly one master to move through the space between the stone 144 and theroller 146. Such adjustment may be readily made by the operator when themachine is placed in operation.

The feed rollers 20, 22 are the next components which contact theadvancing master M. The roller 20 includes two active portions 20a, 20b(see Fig. l) and is mounted ona supporting shaft 160 which is journaledbetween the opposite side walls 52, 54 on appropriate bearings havingsprings 162 for biasing the feed roller 20 into contact with feedroller22. The feed roller 22 likewise incorporates vtwo active portions 22a,22b and is mounted on a supporting shaft 164 which is driven, as will benow described. The supporting shaft 164 is continuously driven from thevariable'speed coupling shaft' 122 via two sets4 of belt and pulleycouplings. yllpecically, and as seen best in Figs. 1 vand' 3,`ab`elt 166is trained over a pulley 168 xed to the coupling shaft 122 and over afurther pulley 170 lixed to an auxiliary coupling shaft 172. A furtherbelt 174 is'trained over a pulley 176 carried on the auxiliary couplingshaft 172 and over the final driven pulley 178 carried on theroller-supportving 16,4. Since the drivingconnection for therollersupporting shaft'164 is derived from ithe continuously drivencoupling shaft. 122 via the auxiliary coupling shaft 172, it'will beappreciated that the roller 122 continues t-o be` driveneven after theblank-feeding mechanism 16 is disabled by the control arrangement, jtobe subsequently described.

NextV along the 'master feed path to the duplicating couple 12, 14 arethe check rollers 24, 26 which are driven when asmaster and blank arepaired and ready for advance through the duplicating cycle. The uppercheck roller 24 is supported on a shaft 180 which is mounted inappropriate bearings on the side wa1ls.52, 54, with one or more springs182 associated with the shaft '180 to bias the upper check roller 24into contact with the lower check roller 26. '.The lower check roller 26is supported on a drivenshaft `184 which extends beyond the inner sidewall 52 and 'is appropriately journaled in the'next-adjacent wall 76.YAs will berecalled, the check rollers 24, 26 are controlled conjointlywith the check roller 34, 36, with provision being made for changing thespeed of the check rollers 24, 26, thereby enabling the regulation ofthe relative positions of the paired master to its blank. Thev drive tothe shaft 184 includes provision for speed control, as well as anelectric brake 185 and an electric clutch 186 connected in the controlcircuitillstrated specically in Fig. l0, and is activated by theyphotoelectric sensing devices 28, 38. Specifically, and as best seen inFigs. 1 and 3, the main drive shaft 74 is connected to the input shaft186a of the electric clutch 186 which has its output shaft 186bconnected via an lappropriate coupling to the input shaft 18811 of avari# able speedcontrol unit 188. The coupling includes belt 190 trainedover a ypulley 192 xed to the clutch output shaft 186b and over alfurther pulley 194 fixed to a driven shaft 196.v The driven shaft 196,which also 'imparts drive to the check rollers 34, 36, as willvsub-`sequently be described, ,is connected to theY input shaft 188:1` of thevariable speed control unit 188 by intermeshing gears 198, ,200. ThegearV 198 is of arlarger diameter and is vcarried on the driven shaft196 andthe gear 200 is of a smaller diameter and is carried on the inputshaft 188:1. As seen best in Figs.'A l and 3, the output shaft 1881; isVappropriately journaled through the wall 76 and con# nected via a beltand pulley coupling to the shaft 184 which drives the lower check roller26. The coupling includes the belt 202 trained over a pulley 204 fixedto the output shaft 188b and a further pulley 206xed to the shaft 184.Thus, the drive to the check rollers 24, 26y for the master feed pathincludes the mainclutch 186 and the variable-speed unit 188.

The blank-feeding mechanism 18, which is virtually identical to themaster-feeding mechanism 16 heretoforel described, includes a trough orfeed bin 212 having an inclined 'front wall 214 adapted to receive thestack of blanksv B with` the leadingvedges thereof bearing against theinclined front wall 214. The bil 212 is supported adjacent its rearwardend on shafts 216, 217 and is adjustable laterally of the machine frame,by means similar to those described in connection with the master bin92. Positioned below and in cooperating relation to the bin 212 is 'akicker and wobbler assembly which includes a pair of'kicker rollerssimilar to the kicker rollers 102, 104. Only the kicker roller 203 isseen in the showing of' Fig. 2; and inthe showing of Fig. l theblank-feeding mechanism 18 has been broken away in the interests ofsimplicity and clarity. The kicker rollers are supported 0n the shaft226 which is` journaled between the opposite side walls 52, 54 of themachine' frame. The kicker rollersrare within the lateral connes'of thebin 212 and in positionY beneath the open bottom thereof to contact andsupport the lowermost blank. Upon drive of the kicker rollers, thelowermost one of the blanks is 'propelled forwardly along the blank feedpath. Cooperat- -in-g with the-kicker rollers is a wobbler roller 228which engages the rearmost end of the stackof blanks B andis'eccentrically mounted on the shaft 230 journaled between theyopposite side walls 52, 54. The wobbler roller 228 tends to verticallydisplace the rearmost end of the stack of blanks B whereby the tendencyof the blanks to cling together is diminished and the kicker rollers 203are rendered more effective to advance the lowermost blank along theblank-feed path. The eccentricallymounted wobbler roller 228 is drivenvfrom the kicker rollers by the belt and pulley coupling between theshafts 226, 238. The belt and pulley coupling incorporates a belt 232trained over a pulley 234 xed to the shaft 226 and further pulley 236fixed to the shaft 230. The belt and pulley coupling is located almostbelow the belt and pulley coupling 112, V114 land 116, portions thereofbeing visibleA at the upper right-hand .corner of Fig. l.

The shaft 226 is driven from the motor 15 via the variable speedauxiliary coupling shaft 172 and by a drive arrangement whichincorporates an electric brake 238 and an electric clutch 240. Theelectric brake238 is on the end of the shaft 226 which is journaledwithin the outer side wall 54, while the electric clutch 240 isconnectedto the shaft 226 at a location inwardly of the inner side -wall52. The electrical connections to the brake and clutch 238, 240 andtheir coordination into the overall control circuit will be more fullydescribed in conjunction with Fig. of the drawings.

Positioned forwardly of the blank-feeding mechanism 18 in advance of thefeed rollers 32, 34 are the feeler members 244, 246. As before thefeeler member 244 is in the form of an eccentrically-mounted stone whichis carried on a shaft 248 with provision for adjustment relative to thefeeler member A246 which is in the form of a roller supported on a shaft250. The shaft 250 is coupled to and driven'by the shaft 226 via a geartrain including a .gear 252 fixed to the shaft 250, a gear 254 fixed tothe shaft 226, and an idler gear 256 interposed therebetween and inmeshing engagement therewith. As seen in Fig. 5, a Vernier adjustmentdevice 258 including a thumb screw control 258a is arranged on the outerwall 54, which is seen to serve as a control panel. The device 25Senables the operator to adjustv the spacing between the stone 244 andthe roller 250. This adjustment isof course established in accordancewith the thickness of the blank stock being fedthrough the duplicatingap'- paratus.. Y I

Next along the blank feed path are the feed rollersv 30, 32- which arecontinuously driven in a manner similar to the drive for the'feed-rollers 20, 22. The upper feed roller 30 is supported on a shaft 260`journaled between the opposite side walls 52, S4 of the machine frame50. One or moresprings 262 serveto bias the upper feed roller 30 intocontact with the lower feed roller 32. The lower feed roller 32 iscarried on a supporting shaft V 264 and is continuously driven by aappropriate connection to the variable'speed coupling shaft 122. As seenbest in Figs. l and 3, the shaft 264 is `coupled to the shaft 122 by'abelt 266` trained over a pulley 268 fixed to the shaft 264 and a furtherpulley 270 fixed to the coupling shaft 122.

1 Next along the feed path toward the duplicating cou ple 12, 14 are thecheck rollers 34, 36 which also serve as 'a wetting assembly wherebysuccessive blanks are wetted along a prescribed swath during the finaltravel toward the duplicating rollers 12, 14. The roller 34 issupported'on a shaft 280 journaled between the opposite side walls. 52,54. The shaft 280 includes as an integral extension thereof the shaft196 which is driven from .the main shaft 74 viav the main clutch 186,as'prcviously described. The-lower wetting roller 36 is supported on ashaft 274 journaled between the opposite side walls 52', 52h-with one or"more springs 276'se'r'ving to-biasfthe l'owerwett'ingroller 36 againstthe upper"wettng'l`ioller 34. Associated with the upper wetting-roller34-is-aI wick assembly including a wick element -2'77 which sii'i wipingcontact with. theperiphery of the roller 34 along its length. Thewickelement 277 is -in communication with the lower end ofa conduit 278connected at its upper end to a tank 280'which contains a relativelylarge supi ply of the duplicating uid. As seen in Fig. 4, the tank 280'is spaced above -the level of the lower end of the conduit 278 andofthe wick element whereby a gravity ow is established for the duplicatingfluid, with the'conduit 278 remaining full and serving as a reservoir ofduplicating uid a-t the wick element 276. For lthe-pur'- poses ofperiodically ,controlling the gravity flow of the uid from the tank 1280into the conduit 278, a solenoidcontrolled needle valve 282 is connectedin the conduit 278, the solenoid-control being designated by the'ereference numeral 284. The coordination'of the needle valve 282 and itscontrol 284 into the system will be more fully described in conjunctionwith Fig. 10. It is sufficient for the' present to point out that theflow may be estab# lished every cycle or every few cycles tocontinuously replenish'the fluid supply in the lower portion of thecouduit -278 during the continued operation of the machine. For Vthepurposes of controlling the rate of the delivery of the fluid to thesolenoid-controlled needle valve 282, or for cutting olf or completelyinterrupting flow, a'manually adjustable valve 286 is connected in theconduit 278 in advance of theV needle valve 282. The valve 286 has ahandle 288 which may be adjusted by the operator, either to turn off thesupply of duplicating fluid or to regulate its ow'to the solenoidcontrolled valve 282.

Following the duplicating rollers 12, 14 are the takeoff conveyors 40,42 which are continuously driven from the motor 15 and remove themasters and blanks from the duplicating couple 12, 14. The mastertake-olf con-v veyor 40 includes a series of continuous flat belts 40a,40!) and 40:,` which are trained about the rollers 290, 292. The roller298 is supported on a saft 294 which is journaled between the oppositeside walls 52, 54 and is driven from the 4motor 15. The roller v292 issupported on a shaft 296 which is likewise journaled betweenl theopposite side walls 52, 54. The shaft 294 is connected to the main driveshaft 74 at the input side tothe main clutch 186 by meshing gears 298,300 whereby the master take-off conveyor 40 is continuously driven oncethe machine is placed in operation. The rate of drive for the masterconveyor 40 is established so that the masters can be rapidly removedfrom the duplicating couple 12,7'14 as each successive duplicating cycleis completed. 'p The blank conveyor 42 is likewise continuously drivenand incorporates a series of continuous flat belts similar to thebelts40a, 40b and 40e. The belts are trained about rollers 302, 304.-The roller 302 is carried on a shaft 306 which is journaled between theopposite side walls 52, 54 and the .roller 304 is similarly journaled onthe shaft 308. The shaft 386 is driven by the shaft 294 throughprovision of a belt and pulley'coupling including the belt 310. trainedabout the pulley 312 fixed tothe shaft 2941and the pulley 3.14 Xedto theshaft 306. `rl`h'us; the blank conveyor 42 is driven ona continuousbasis alongwiththe master conveyor 40. r l Associated with the take-offconveyors'll, 42 are trans! port conveyors, generally designated by thevreference numeral 316, 318.v As seen best inv Fig. 5, the transportconveyor 316 for the' take-off conveyor 40 extends for a comparativelylong run and terminates in a stacking shoe 320 against which successivemasters arelbrought-by op-4 eration of the conveyors. The transportconveyor 318 for .the take-.01T conveyor 42 extends to a drop-off loca'-tion 322 belowwhichfis disposed'a receptacle 324 adapted toreceive theduplicated blanks. l The ltransport conveyors316, 318 are coordinated'hto the operation ofthe 'machine and are indexed-during-eachduplicating cy'cle whereby, after lthe rapid removaiof' the`bla-n'ks-andinasters from thework zone lby the ltalfl'rp olf conveyors 40, 42,the work is carried stepwise toward the stacking shoe 320 and thereceptacle 3 24 at which the work is removed from the machine.

` The transport conveyor 316 includes a series of belts 316a, 316b, and316:: trained about the rollers 326, 328. The, roller 326 is carried ona shaft 330 jonrnaled in the opposite side walls 52, 54 of the machineframe, *while the roller 328 is carried on shaft 332.V Similarlyrthetransport conveyor 318 includes a series of belts trained about rollers334, 336, the roller 334 'being carried on a shaft 338 and the roller336 being carried on a shaft 340. Y Y

' The drive for periodically indexing the transport conveyors 316, 318may be best seen by referenceto Figs. l, 3 and 4. The output shaft 186bof the main clutch 186 is connected to an intermediate coupling shaft342 which is journaled in -appropriate bearings on the wall 76, ,78.This connection includes a belt 344 trained over a pulley 346 connectedto the output shaft 168b of the clutch 186 and a further pulley 348connected to the input shaft 350a of a brake 350. The intermediatecoupling shaft 342 in turn is connected to the driven shaft 330 byintermeshing gears 352, 354. The driven shaft 330 of the transportconveyor 316 is coupled to the corresponding driven shaft 338 of thetransport conveyorl 318 through provision of a belt and pulley Coupling(see Fig. 3) which includes the belt 356 trained about a pulley 358fixed to the shaft 330 and a further pulley 360 iixed to the shaft 338.Thus upon operation of the main clutch 186, a driving connection isprovided tothe transport conveyors 316, 318 which are drivenV in tandemfor a period corresponding to the duration of activation of the mainclutch 186. The brake 350 is energized when the main clutch 186 isdeenergized whereby the transport conveyors 316, 318 are stopped almostinstantaneously.

In order to elfectively separate the masters M and the blanks B afterpassing through the duplicating couple 12, I4, a deflector 362 ismounted on the machine fratrie 50 following the reproducing rollers 12,14 and in advance of the master and blank conveyors 40, 42. The deector362, seen best in lFigs. l and 2, includes an arm 362a which carries atransversely-extending shield 362b extending along the length of theroller 290 and curved to conform' generally to the periphery thereof.The arm 362:1 is xed to the machine frame within the lateral limitswhich are occupied by the blanks as the same are fed through t-hemachine whereby successive Iblanks are engaged by the yarm 36211 anddirected downwardly beneath the shield 362b and toward'the blankconveyor 42. Further, :as seen in Fig. 1, the arm 362a is disposedoutwardly of the edges of successive masters, which in this instance aresomewhat narrower in width than the blanks whereby the masters arepermitted to continue in their generally upward course onto the takeoffconveyor during the normal operation of the duplicating couple 12, 14.Since t-he masters and blanks vare almost always of dilerent widths, itis a comparatively simple matter to provide some means for deflectingthe blanks downwardly and lthe mastersupwardly whereby separation isachieved between paired masters and blanks after the duplicatingoperation. In the event that the masters and blanks are to remaincollated, the deilector 362 is removed and thereupon the masters andblanks tend to travel upwardly together-onto the conveyor 40 andultimately are stacked' at the end of the transport conveyor 316 -at theshoe 320. It may be desirable to keep masters and blanks collated whenfurt-her work lor operations are to be performed in connection with themaster and 'the blank duplicated therefrom.

l The photoelectric sensing devices 28, 30 and their associatedelectronic amplifiers are conventional units which are available on themarket. The device 28 embodies 12 a light source 28a which directs itsbeam across the master feed path at a location intermediate the feedrollers 20, 22 and check -rol1ers24, 26 toward a reflector 28b. Theredirected Abeam is picked up by a photocell 28e to provide the requiredactivating source for the device 28. When the beam' is changed, as forexample when the ambient light level changes or the beam is broken bythe passage of master across the Ybeam path, the desired controlfunction may be achieved. Similarly, the photoelectric device 38incorporates a light source 38a, a reflector 38h and a photocell 38o,wit-h the beam in this instance being directed between the feed rollers30, 32

and the combined wetting and check follers 34, 36 along theblank-feeding path.

Detailed reference will now be made to the schematic showing of thecontrol circuit ofv Fig. l0 for a description of the inter-relationshipbetween the various brakes, clutches and controls incorporated in themachine 10. The control circuit has its several controls in thepositions corresponding to that diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6.That is to say, that' the motor 15 is driving the duplicating couple-12, 14, the conveyors 40, 42, and the respective feeding mechanisms 16,18 with the associated feed rollers. Further, in the interests ofsimplicity and clarity, the alternating current circuits have beenillustrated by the light lead lines while the direct current circuitshave been illustrated by the heavier lead lines. 'The control circuit,which can be mounted within a single control box appropriately ixed onthe frame ofy the machine, includes Ialternating current input lines400, 402 which may be connected via the terminals 400a, 402e to a sixtycycle, one hundred ten volt source. A main control switch 404 isconnected in'the input line 402 which, whenV closed, imparts drive tothemain motor 16 connected across the input lines 400, 402. The input lines400, 402 are connected to a conventional full-wave' rectiiier 406 whichsupplies direct current output on the leads 408, 410. The various brakesand clutches are venergized from the direct current lines 408, 410'while s the various control relays and switches associated therewithare connected across the alternating current iines. The circuit-includes three relay-controlled switches,

' namely, the relay control switch 412 which is connected across thelines 400, 402 upon pairing of successive masters and blanks; therelay-controlled switch 414 which is controlled by the photoelectricdevice 28 and in turn controls the brake 118 andthe clutch 120 for theblankfeeding mechanism 16; and the relay-controlled switch 416 which iscontrolled by the photoelectn'e device 38 and in turn controls the brake238 and the clutch 240 for the blank-feeding mechanisms 18.

The relay-controlled lswitch 412 includes the contactor 412a whichnormally makes contact with the terminal 412b and when energized-makescontact with the terminal 412e. The contactor 412a is switched from theillustrated position of Fig. l0 into contact with the terminal 412e byenergzation of the control coil 412d of the relay. The coil 412d isconnected across the lines 400, 4 02 by operation of the photoelectricdevices 28, 38, as will subsequently be described. The relay-controlledswitch 414 is normally energized and includes aiswitch contactor 414awhich makes contact with the terminal 414b. When the relay 414 isdeenergized, the switch contacter 41411 makes contact with the terminal414C. The relay controlled switch 414 includes a control coil 414:1which is connected across the line 400, 402 via the i relay-controlledswitch associated with the photoelectric contact with the terminal 416ewhen deenergized. The relay coil 416d is connected across the A.C. lines400,

402 via thev relay-controlled switch associated withthe photoelectricdevice 38.

ane 8,456

Considering now the photoelectric devices, it is seen that the lamp 28aof the device 28 is' connected across the A.C. lines. The device 28,which may include an `amplifier, operates a relay-controlled switch 418having a switch contactor 418a and terminals 418b, 418C. The switchcontactor 418a is in the switch position corresponding to energizationof the relay control coil 418d when the beam monitoring the path of themaster is unbroken. In this position, it is seen that the control coil414d of the switch 414 is connected across the lines 400, 402 via theswitch contactor 418a and the terminal 4181i. With the switch contactor414a in contact with the terminal 414i), the clutch 120 associated withthe masterfeeding mechanism 16 is energized to bring about feed of themasters. Upon interruption of the beam of light monitoring the masterfeed path in response to a master arriving at the check rollers 20, 22,the switch contactor 418:1 makes contact with the terminal 418e. Thisinterrupts the energization circuit for the control coil 414:1 of therelay control switch 414 whereupon the switch contactor 414a makescontact with the terminal 414e. In this switch position, the brake 118associated with the master-feeding mechanism 16 is connected across thedirect current line `408, 410 to be energized thereby. This brings aboutvirtually instantaneous stopping of the master-feeding mechanism 16until the relay control switch 414 is again operated. A similarrelay-controlled switch 420 is associated with the photoelectric device38 and includes a switch contactor 420a normally making contact with theterminal 420i), but adapted to make contact with the terminal 428e whenthe coil 420s! is deenergized upon breaking of the light beam monitoringthe blank feed path. In the position wherein the switch contactor 420amakes contact with the 4terminal 420b, the coil 416d of the relaycontrol switch 416 is connected across the A.C. lines 400, 402 and theswitch contactor 416a makes contact with the terminal 416b. The switchcontactor 416a and terminal 416b connect with the clutch 240 for theblankfeeding mechanism 18 across the D C. lines 408, 410 to impart driveto the blank-feeding mechanism. When the switch contactor `420:1 makesContact with the terminal 420e in response to the light beam monitoringthe blank feed path being interrupted, the energization circuit for therelay coil 420:1 is deenergized. Thereupon the energization circuit forthe relay coil 416d is interrupted and the switch contactor 416a makescontact with the terminal 416C. When the switch contactor 416a makescontact with the terminal 416e, the brake 238 is connected across thedirect current lines 408, 410 which in turn brings about almostinstantaneous stopping of the blankfeeding mechanisms 18. From theforegoing it will be appreciated that the respective photoelectricdevices 28, 38 individually control the operation of the master andblank feeding mechanisms 16, 18.

Turning now to the cojoint control over the master clutch 186, thebrakes 185, 350, and the solenoid control 284 for the valve 282, thesecomponents are controlled by the switch 412 which has its energizationcircuit completed only when the beam of both photoelectric devices 28,38 are interrupted. Specically, coil 412d is connected to the A C. line400 only when the switch contactor 418a is against the terminal 418e(corresponding to the interruption of the photoelectric beam monitoringthe master feed path) and to the A.C. line 402 when the switch contactor420:1 is against the terminal 420C (corresponding to the interruption ofthe photoelectric beam monitoring the blank feeding path). Uponenergization of the relay control switch 412, the switch contactor 412amakes contact with the terminal 412C, thereby connecting the masterclutch 186 across the D.C. lines 408, 410. This in turn imparts drivetothe check rollers 24, 26 to the wetting couple 34, 36 and to thetransport conveyors 316, 318. Further, the solenoid control 284 for thevalve 282 of the duplicating fluid dispensing-system is activatedwhereby controlled gravity ow of fluid is permitted into the conduit278.- Suchv operation continues for so long as both of the photoelectricbeams are interrupted. When either of the beams is re-established tooperate its associated relay control switch, the energization circuitfor the coil 412d of the switch 412 is interrupted and the switchcontactor 412a returns to the illustrated position wherein the brakes185, 350 are energized. As previously explained, proper completion ofthe duplicating cycle is not effected by the fact that the trailing endsof either the master or the blank may pass the location where the beamis interrupted prior to the duplicating operation being cornpleted.Despite such condition, the duplicating couple 12, 14 is driven at aspeed sufficient to assure completion of the operation even though somehold-back effect may be exerted by the roller pairs 24, 26 and 34, 36.If this becomes troublesome, the switch 412 may be of the slowreleasetype whereby a predetermined time lag is introduced after theenergization circuit is broken before the switch contactor 412a returnsto the illustrated position. However, Vit should be noted that there isan inherent lag in the photoelectric controls from the quiescent stateto the` active state which permits passage of the masters and blanks.Fur-ther, from the mechanical standpoint, the respective pairs of checkrollers are journaled to rotate freely in the direction opposite todrive, so that when drive is disrupted, the duplicating couple iselfective to complete the advance of the paired master and blank throughthe duplicating cycle.

Appropriate by-pass switches 422, 424 are associated with thephotoelectrically-controlled switches 413, 420 in order to effectivelyby-pass the same and to complete the energization circuit for the mainrelay-controlled switch 412. These by-pass switches are provided toenable the operator to continuously cycle the machine without thenecessity of masters and blanks being present along the respective feedpaths for interrupting the associated light beams.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present invention isreadily adapted to mass duplication at a comparatively low unit cost.The machine is extremely versatile and readily adapted to handle a widevariety of types of stock, with the facility for precisely orienting thehectograph impression on the blank stock, both laterally andlongitudinally. Positive provision is made for the collated take-off ofmasters and blanks, or their separate take-off. Even if the masters andblanks are of the identical width their separation may still' beachieved by the illustrated mechanisms by initially oisetting the masterfeeding mechanism and the blank feeding mechanism. By this expedient aprojecting edge of the blank will be available for downward deflectionto achieve the required separation. v

Aflatitude of modification, change andsubstitution is intended intheforegoing disclosure and in some instances some features of theinvention will be used without a corresponding use of other features.

What we claim is:

l. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers forengaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same intotransfer relation, a drive for said reproducing rollers, means operableto-connect said drive to said reproducing rollers to continuously drivesaid reproducing rollers, rst feeder means for delivering masters alonga irst feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder means forder livering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickuplocation, a first pair of contacting check rollers along said rst feedpath in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair of contactingcheck rollers along said .second feed path in advance of saidreproducing rollers, rst sensing means in advance of said rst pair ofcheck rollers, second sensing means inadvanceof said second pair ofcheck rollers, and means contrciJl/lggl by both of said sensing meansand operative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of checkrollers whereby a master and blank are advanced toward said pickuplocation.

2. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers forengaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same intotransfer relation, a drive for said reproducing rollers, means operableto connect said drive to said reproducing rollers to continuously drivesaid reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder meansfor delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickuplocation, a rst pair of contacting check rollers along said first feedpath in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair of contactingcheck rollers along said second feed path in advance of said reproducingrollers, first sensing means in advance of said first pair of checkrollers, second sensing means in advance of said second pair of checkrollers, means controlled by both of said sensing means and operative toimpart rotation to the first and second pairs of check rollers whereby amaster and blank are advanced toward said pickup location, andmeans'controlled by said first sensing means and operative to interruptdelivery of masters by said first feeder means.

3. A duplicating machine comprising cooperative reproducing rollers forengaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same intotransfer relation, a drive for said reproducing rollers, means operableto connect said drive to said reproducing rollers to continuously drivesaid reproducing rollers, first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said pickup location, second feeder meansfor delivering blanks along a second feed path toward said pickuplocation, a first pair of contacting check rollers .along said firstfeed path in advanve of said reproducmg rollers, a second pair ofcontacting check rollers along said second feed path in advance of saidreproducing rollers, first sensing means in advance of'said first pairof check rollers, second sensing means in advance of said second pair ofcheck rollers, means controlled by luoth of said sensing means andoperative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of checkrollers whereby a master and blank are advanced toward said pickuplocation, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative tointerrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means, and meanscontrolled by said second sensing means and operative t interruptdelivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

4. A duplicating machine comprising a reproducing coupling adapted toengage a master and blank to bring the same into transfer relation,means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuouslydrive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for deliveringmasters along a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, secondfeeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward saidreproducing couple. rotatable check means along said first feed path inadvance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said secondfeed path in advance of saidreproducing couple, first sensing means inadvance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of saidwetting couple, and means controlled by both of said sensing means andoperative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couplewhereby a master 'and blank are delivered to said reproducing couplewith the blank wetted,

5. A duplicating .machine comprising a reproducing coupling adapted toengage a master and blank to bring the same into transfer relation,means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuouslydrive said reproducing couple, a first feeder means for deliveringmasters along a first feed path toward said reproducingcouple, secondfeeder means for delivering yblanks along a second feedA path toward"said reproducing couple, rotatable check means along said` first feedpath in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along saidsecond feed path in advance of said repro- .ducing couple, first sensingmeans in advance of said check means, second sensing means in advance ofsaid wetting couple, means controlled by vboth of said sensing means andoperative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couplewhereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducing couple withthe blank wetted, and means controlled by said first sensing means andoperative to interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means.

6. A duplicating machine comprising a reproducing coupling adapted toengage a master and blank to bring the same into transfer relation,means operatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuouslydrive said reproducing couple, a first feeder'means for deliveringmasters along a first Afeed path toward said reproducing couple, secondfeeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward saidreproducing couple, rotatable check means along said first feed path inadvance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said secondfeed path in advance of said reproducing couple, first sensing means inadvance of said check means, second sensing means in advance of saidwetting couple, means controlled by both of said sensing means andoperative to impart rotation Vto said check means and said wettingcouple whereby a master and blank are delivered to said reproducingcouple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said first sensingmeans and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said firstfeeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing means andoperative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

7. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers forengaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same into`transfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducingrollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feedermeans for delivering master along a first feed path toward said pickuplocation, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feedpath toward said pickup location, a first pair of feed rollers alongsaid first feed path, means operatively connected to said first pair offeed rollers for continuously driving same, a first pair of checkrollers along said first feed path following said first pair of feedrollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pairof-feed rollers along said second feed path, means operatively connectedto said second pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, asecond pair of check rollers along said second feed path following saidsecond pair of feed rollers and in yadvance of said reproducing rollers,first sensing means along said first feed path intermediate said firstpair of feed rollers and said first pair of check rollers, secondsensing means along said second feed path intermediate said second pairof feed rollers and said second pair of check rollers, means controlledby both of said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to thefirst and second pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank aredelivered toward said pickup location.

8. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers forengaging a master and blank at a pickupv location to bring the same intotransfer relation, means operatively connected to said reproducingrollers to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feedermeans for delivering master along a first feed path toward 'said pickuplocation, second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feedpath toward said pickup location, a first pair of feed rollers alongsaid first feed path, means operatively connected to said first pairofrfeed rollers for continuously driving same, a first pair of checkrollers along said first feed path following said first pair of feedrollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers,

17 a second pair of feed rollers along said second feed path, meansoperatively connected to said second -pair of feed rollers forcontinuously driving same, a second pair of check rollers along saidsecond feed path following said second pair of feed rollers and inadvance of said reproducing rollers, first sensing means along saidfirst feed path intermediate said first pair of feed rollers and saidfirst pair of check rollers, second sensing means along said second feedpath intermediate said second pair of feed rollers and said second pairof check rollers, means controlled by both of said sensing means andoperative to impart rotation to the first and second pairs of checkrollers whereby a master and blank are delivered toward 'said pickup.location, and means controlled by said first sensing means and operativeto interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means.

9'. A duplicating machine comprising cooperating reproducing rollers forengaging a master and blank at a pickup location to bring the same intotransfer relation, rnean's operatively connected to said reproducingrollers 'to continuously drive said reproducing rollers, first feedermeans for delivering master along a first feed path toward said pickuplocation, second feeder means for delivering blanks 'along a second feedpath toward said pickup location, a first pair of feed rollers alongsaid first feed path, means operatively connected to said first pair offeed rollers for continuously driving same, a first pair of checkrollers along said first feed path following said first pair of feedrollers and in advance of said reproducing rollers, a second pair offeed rollers along said second feed path, means operatively connected tosaid second pair of feed rollers for continuously driving same, a secondpair of check rollers along said second feed path following said secondpair of feed rollers and in advance of said reproducing' rollers, firstsensing means along said first feed path intermediatev said first pairof feed rollers and said first pair of check rollers, second sensingmeans along said second feed path intermediate said second pair of feedrollers andsaid second pair of check rollers, means controlled by bothof said sensing means and operative to impart rotation to the first andsecond pairs of check rollers whereby a master and blank are deliveredtoward said pickup location, means controlled by said first sensingmeans and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by said firstfeeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing means andoperative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means.

l0. In a duplicating machine, a reproducting couple adapted to engage amaster and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, a variable speeddrive for said first feeder means, second feeder means for deliveringblanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drivefor said second feeder means, rotatable check means along said firstfeed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple alongsaid second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, firstsensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means inadvance of said wetting couple, and means controlled by both of saidsensing means and operative to impart rotation to said check means andsaid wetting couple whereby a master and blank are delivered to saidreproducing couple with the blank wetted.

ll. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage amaster and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to` said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, a variable speeddrive for said first feeder means, second feeder means for deliveringblanks along a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drivefor said second feeder means, r's't rotatable check means along saidfirst feed path in advance `'of said reproducing een'- ple, secondrotatable check means along said second feed path in `advance of saidreproducing couple, and means operative to impart rotation to therespective check means whereby a master and blank are delivered to saidreproducing couple. t

12. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage amaster 'and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, second feedermeans for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward saidreproducing couple, rotatable check means along said first feed path inadvance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple along said secondfeed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wick assemblyoperatively disposed relative to said wetting couple, and meansoperative to impart rotation to said check means and said wetting couplewhereby a master vand blank arel delivered to said reproducing' couplewith the blank wetted.

13. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple 'adapted to engage amaster and blank Iand bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, second feedermeans for delivering blanks along a second feed path toward saidreproducing couple, a drive for said lsecond feeder means, rotatablecheck means along said first feed path in advance of said reproducingcouple, a wetting couple along said second feed path in advance of saidreproducing couple, first sensing means in advance of said check means,second sensing means in` advance of said wetting couple, meanscontrolled by both of said sensing means and operative to impartrotation to said check means and said wetting couple whereby a masterand blank are delivered to said reproducing couple with the blankwetted, means controlled by said first sensing means and operative to.interrupt delivery of masters by said first feeder means, meanscontrolled by said second sensing means and operative to interruptdelivery of blanksv by said second feeder means, and take-off conveyorsfollowing said reproducing couple for removing successive pairs ofmasters and blanks after a reproducing cycle.

14. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage amaster and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a first feed path toward said reproducing couple, a variable speeddrive for said first feeder means, second feeder means for deliveringblanks lalong a second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drivefor said second feeder means, rotatable check means along said firstfeed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple alongsaid second feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wickassembly operatively disposed relative to said wetting couple, firstsensing means in advance of said check means, second sensing means inadvance of said wetting couple, means controlled by both of said sensingmeans and operative to impart rotation to said check means and saidwetting couple whereby a master and blank 4are delivered to saidreproducing couple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said firstsensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters -by saidfirst feeder means, means controlled by said second sensing means andoperative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feeder means,and take-off conveyors following said reproducing couple for removingsuccessive pairs of masters and blanks after a reproducing cycle.

, 15. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple :adapted to engagea master `and blank and bring the same into `transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously 'drivesaid reproducing couple, Va rst feeder means for delivering mastersalong a irst feed path toward said reproducing couple,

. a second feeder means for delivering blanks along a second feed pathtoward said reproducing couple, a rotatable check means along said rstfeed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wetting couple alongsaid ksecond feed path in advance of said reproducing couple, a wickassembly for said wetting couple, a reservoir adapted to contain asupply of wetting tluid, control means operative to impart rotation tosaid check means and said wetting couple whereby a master and blank aredelivered to said reproducing couple with the blank wetted, andfluid-dispensing means between said reservoir and said wick assembly andoperated by said control means for periodically delivering wetting fluidfrom said reservoir to said wick assembly.

16. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple,blank-feedingm'echanisms for delivering blanks along a prescribed pathtoward said reproducing couple, a wick assembly along said prescribedpath .for wetting successive blanks with duplicating fluid duringVdelivery to said reproducing couple, a reservoir adapted to contain asupply of duplicating iuid, a conduit connecting said reservoir to saidWick assembly, a normally-closed valve in said conduit, and meanscontrolled by said blankfeeding mechanisms for opening said valve as afunction of the operation of said blank-feeding mechanisms.

17. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple, blank-feedingmechanisms for delivering blanks along a prescribed path toward saidreproducing couple, a wick assembly including a wetting couple alongsaid prescribed path for wetting successive blanks with duplicating uid'during delivery to said reproducing couple, a gravity-feed reservoirpositioned above said wick assembly and adapted to contain a supply ofduplicating uid, a conduit connecting said reservoir to said wickassembly, a normallyclosed valve in said conduit, and means controlledby said blank-feeding mechanisms for opening said valve as a function ofthe feed of successive blanks by said blank-feeding mechanisms. Y

18. In a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted 'to engage amaster and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a rst feeder means for delivering mastersalong'a first feed path toward vsaid reproducing couple, a drive forsaid first feeder means, second-feeder means for delivering blanks alonga second feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for saidsecond feeder means, check means along said first feed path in advanceof said reproducing couple, wetting means along said second feed path inadvance of said reproducing couple, rst sensing means in advance of saidcheck means, second sensing means in advance of said wetting means, andmeans controlled by both of said sensing means to operate said checkmeans and said wetting means whereby a master and blank are delivered tosaid reproducing couple with the blank wetted.

19. rIn a duplicating machine, a reproducing couple adapted to engage amaster and blank and bring the same into transfer relation, meansoperatively connected to said reproducing couple to continuously drivesaid reproducing couple, a first feeder means for delivering mastersalong a rst feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for saidlirst feeder means, second feeder means for delivering blanks along asecond feed path toward said reproducing couple, a drive for said secondfeeder means, check means along said rst feed path in advance of saidreproducing couple, wetting means along said second feed path in advanceof said reproducing couple, rst sensing means in advance of said checkmeans, second sensing means in advance of said wetting means, meanscontrolled by both of said sensing means to operate said check means andsaid wetting means whereby a master and blank are delivered to saidreproducing couple with the blank wetted, means controlled by said firstsensing means and operative to interrupt delivery of masters by saidiirst feeder means, and means controlled by said second sensing meansand operative to interrupt delivery of blanks by said second feedermeans.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSmitzer Aug. 13, 1957

